Author Archives: Amanda Manney

About Amanda Manney

Hi friend, thanks for stopping by! I'm Amanda. I am a pastor's wife and a homeschooling mom who has a passion to encourage women to faithfully step every day into what God has for them.

Habakkuk: From What if to Even If

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I recently finished my Habakkuk study from The Daily Grace Co. Habakkuk has some of my favorite verses in the entire Bible buried at the very end of the book. So I really enjoyed my study. In that study, they write about this thought–from what if to even if.

Conversation between God and Habakkuk

In this short book, we are given a glimpse of a conversation between God and Habakkuk that is absolutely fascinating to study. God tells Habakkuk that the Babylonian empire, as cruel and evil as they are, is going to rise and take over Judah. Habakkuk is shocked and grieved and obviously terrified. He understands that God is judging Judah for their sins, but with Babylon? Babylon is even more wicked. God tells him to be patient. The time for Babylon’s judgment will come, but he will use them to judge his own people.

Habakkuk was given clear insight into the coming judgement. God’s words came to pass, as they always do. And the Babylonians invade Judah and destroy it and carry off its citizens. This is the last time the Jews have their own nation until the 1950s.

Habakkuk’s Response

If you haven’t read Habakkuk, it’s sobering and so worth reading and studying. It’s only three chapters long, but there’s a lot packed in there. My favorite part of the book comes in the last few verses, but before that is Habakkuk’s response of fear.

I trembled inside when I heard this;
    my lips quivered with fear.
My legs gave way beneath me,
    and I shook in terror.
I will wait quietly for the coming day
    when disaster will strike the people who invade us.

Habakkuk 3:16

That one verse gives us such an insight into what Habakkuk is thinking and feeling, similar to what we would feel if we’d been told our country was going to be invaded as part of God’s judgement.

Some of my Favorite Verses

And yet, the very next set of verses are some of Habakkuk’s finest and some of my most favorite.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,
 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Agricultural Society

To understand these words, we have to remember that he lived in an agricultural society. Crops were everything. To have no crops, no fruit, no animals…this was devastation of their entire commerce system. This was starvation and desperation.

And yet, look how he responds. Even though all this happens, and it would, he says, “I will choose to rejoice. I will be joyful in God. God is my strength.” These thoughts from Habakkuk blow my mind. How can he respond this way?

Habakkuk’s Choice

The reason he could respond this way was that he had made a choice. He had already made the choice to serve God and joy in Him no matter what. So his what if was turned to even if. His worry of what if this happens turned to Even if this happens, I will trust God.

I don’t know what you might be facing right now. It may seem like you’re in a what if situation. How do you get through? You choose even if. Even if the bottom falls out, I will choose to trust God and find my joy in Him. Even if I get this diagnosis, I choose to trust God and find joy in Him. God is so much greater than our circumstances. We can find joy, no matter what comes our way. Because our joy is not dependent on circumstances.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, A Roadmap to Building Deep Faith.

9 Things I’m Currently Loving

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Every so often, I like to share what I’m currently loving and using. Here are 9 things I’m currently loving.

Women Create Magazines

I bought one of these magazines on a whim sometime maybe a year or so ago. They are now my absolute favorite. I find them at Michaels or JoAnn Fabrics. Each magazine focuses on the studios woman create or the products they make. I’ve also started collecting In Her Studio as well. I save these magazines for night time. Right before bed, I read one section. As a creator myself, I love seeing what other women are creating and how they’re creating.

Bright Gel Pens

I love bright colors, and I love these Paper Mate bright gel pens. They’re fun and colorful. I use them every morning for my morning time.

Daily Grace Co Bible Studies

I recently discovered these Bible studies, and I absolutely love them. I’ve done Colossians, Ecclesiastes, and Habakkuk so far and have loved each one.

Essential Oils

This is the time of year for colds and sore throats and congestion. We live off of doTERRA Breathe and On Guard this time of year. When I can’t breathe at night, I put these two oils in my diffuser and run it during the night, and we use the roll-ons for everybody before bed. It makes a huge difference.

Magnesium oil lotion and spray

This spray has been a game changer for us. It helps so much with sore muscles or arthritis-type pain. It also promotes better sleep, and I can tell a huge difference when I put it on at night and when I don’t.

Shower steamers

I received steamers from Bath and Body for Christmas and love using them. I use the orange energizing ones in the shower in the mornings when I’m exhausted and need to wake up. Our daughter uses the lavender ones before bed to help her relax. Only a few come in the containers, but we cut them up into smaller pieces so they can last longer.

Javvy

Javvy has been my coffee of choice for my mornings for several months now. I love iced coffee and make one every single morning…even when it’s really cold out. I hate making iced coffee at home, though, because it’s hard to get it just right. Enter Javvy. I love Javvy because I don’t have to make hot coffee and then add ice. I just add cold concentrate. It’s also really great if your iced coffee sits too long and gets watery. All you have to do is add more concentrate. It works well for me.

Toasted Marshmallow Syrup

My favorite flavor syrup for coffee is toasted marshmallow. I’ve tried a few different ones but really love the Torani brand. It’s my favorite.

World Market

This is a new store to me. One of my favorite things about this store is the entire wall of coffee syrups. This is where I got my huge bottle of toasted marshmallow syrup for only ten dollars. Another favorite thing to do from this store is to pick a sauce to try at home. We recently bought a bottle of Korean Chicken sauce to use on our chicken at home. It was delicious! We’ve also used Kewpie Japanese mayo on some dishes and loved that as well. I’m looking forward to going back and getting some other sauces to try.

What are you currently using and loving?

5 Passages of Scripture to Read When You Need Encouragement

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All of us go through hard times. You may be going through one right now, or you may have just come out of one. It’s so important to have passages of Scripture to read during those times to find encouragement and hope. But sometimes, in the midst of a difficult time, it’s hard to remember or even think about what to read.

So I compiled a list of five passages that can comfort our hearts during a difficult time. Write them down somewhere, so you have them the next time you need them.

1. Habakkuk 3:17-19

Habakkuk is one of those hidden gems in the Bible. The book is only three chapters long and is a dialogue between Habakkuk and God. God tells Habakkuk of the coming fall of Jerusalem, of God’s judgment on his people who have chosen to turn their backs on him. It’s a dark time in Israel’s history, and it’s about to get worse. And yet, chapter three ends in these verses, some of my favorite verses in the Bible. Though everything seems to fall apart, we can still trust in God’s goodness and rejoice.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,
 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights.

2. Lamentations 3:20-23

Lamentations, most likely written by the prophet Jeremiah, is a book of lament or sorrow, written after the destruction of Jerusalem. Babylon came in and destroyed Jerusalem and carried off the people into captivity in a foreign country. This is the same captivity that Daniel and his friends were taken in. It’s interesting to note that Daniel, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk were all contemporaries.

During this book of lament, we find these amazing verses that have stayed with us thousands of years later. Songs have been written with these words; books, art, home decor, and more all quote these famous verses.

I will never forget this awful time,
    as I grieve over my loss.
Yet I still dare to hope
    when I remember this:

 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
 Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.

3. I Peter 1:4-7

These words found in I Peter give us comfort regarding trials. Sometimes we get lost in the midst of our trials. We can’t see any way out; we feel like God has forgotten us. These words, written by a man who saw his own share of trials and ended up dying for his faith, remind us that there is joy ahead…after the trial.

And we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay..  And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

4. Psalms 23, 91, 18

When making a list of the most comforting/encouraging passages in the Bible, it’s impossible not to include the Psalms. There are so many amazing Psalms, so many favorites of mine. I picked just a few of my favorites.

23

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
 He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

91:1-4

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

18:29-33

In your strength I can crush an army;
    with my God I can scale any wall. God’s way is perfect.
    All the Lord’s promises prove true.
    He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
 For who is God except the Lord?
    Who but our God is a solid rock?
 God arms me with strength,
    and he makes my way perfect.
 He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    enabling me to stand on mountain heights.

5. Job 42:1-5

These verses come at the end of the book of Job. Job has been through incredible testing. He lost all of his children, his wealth, his health, and everything he valued. He’s spend the entire almost forty chapters before this asking God what is going on and trying to understand. When God finally talks, he doesn’t explain anything. Instead, he starts a series of questions, effectively reminding Job of who he is and of his sovereignty. The verses below are Job’s response. Job had heard about God before this, but after his trial, he says that he has now seen God. Sometimes it’s only through the hard times that we actually begin to “see” God for who He is.

 Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything,
    and no one can stop you.
 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
    It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
    things far too wonderful for me.
 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak!
    I have some questions for you,
    and you must answer them.’
 I had only heard about you before,
    but now I have seen you with my own eyes.

The next time you feel yourself feeling discouraged, down, worried, or depressed, choose one of these passages to read. Then add some of your own to the list as well.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, The God Who Sees Me. A great book to read is A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23.

What Do You Already Have that God Can Use?

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Dreaming is an amazing thing; hope is something that gives our soul reason to breathe. God gives us this ability to dream and to see things that aren’t right now. But it’s often hard to see into the future; it’s hard to see what hasn’t already happened. So, how do we create these dreams? Where do we begin?

First, you have to look at what God’s already given you and go from there. God only works with what we have. Not money we don’t own, a talent we haven’t developed, a building we don’t have. Rather, God works with what you already have.

What is in your hand?

In the book of 2 Kings, a widow sets out to find Elisha. Her husband had been a prophet and served with Elisha. But after he passes, creditors come to take her sons away. She needs money, and she needs it now. So she turns to the prophet Elisha.

Elisha doesn’t panic. He simply asks two questions. “What can I do to help?” and “What do you have in the house?”

It’s the second question that captures my attention. He didn’t come up with a bunch of different ways to make money; he didn’t give her ten ideas to try. He asked her simply, “What do you already have?”

What Do You Already Have?

The widow doesn’t own much; all she has is a single flask of oil. Elisha nods because that’s enough. He tells her to collect as many jars as she can from her neighbors and then start pouring out the oil into those jars.

This process is interesting:

1. She has to find something she already has.

2. Then she has to do the work of collecting the vessels and talking her neighbors into letting her borrow those vessels and then pouring oil into all those vessels.

3. As she’s doing it, God takes her little and increases it.

How does that process work for us?

The Process

1. We spend the time to find out what we already have. Sometimes, it comes easy; sometimes it takes a little bit more work. Figure out what talents and abilities you have, what passions you have, what things God has already put in your hand.

2. Then get to work. Work hard at whatever God has gifted you with or whatever he has put in your hand.

3. Then watch as God blesses that work and uses it to provide for you as well as others.

What She Already Had

Elijah worked in the parameters of what the woman had. He was able to bless what she had, not something she didn’t possess.

Sometimes, we convince ourselves that God can only bless us when…when we get the money, when we own that building, when we start that career, build that retirement fund, etc. But we often forget that God works with what we already have.

The woman in our story had a little oil and the ability to collect jars from neighbors. For Moses, it was a rod. With David, it was a slingshot. For Samson, it was his strength. For Joshua, it was brilliant mind for battle strategy. The little boy in the New Testament had a lunch.

Small Beginnings

Don’t underestimate what God can do with your life with what you already have; don’t underestimate small beginnings.

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.

Zachariah 4:10

God can make something out of the little you have when you allow him to. What do you already have?

Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, What’s in Your Hand? A great book to get you thinking about what you could do is Money Making Mom.

Staying Strong in Uncertain Times

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It’s been quite the start to this 2025 year. A presidential change, the fires in LA, the plane crash in DC this week…and it’s only January. I’m reminded of a verse in Ecclesiastes chapter seven.

 Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 NLT

Solomon’s Observation

Solomon observes that nothing is certain in this life. That feels like a really bleak way of looking at things. We almost feel like we should throw our hands up in the air and give up. Why even bother?

But to understand the full context, we have to look at the beginning of this verse and the verse that comes before.


Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

Ecclesiastes:13,14 NLT

The Uncertainty of Life

The uncertainty of life is a very real thing. Solomon understood that. He grew up under the reign of David, his father, in a tumultuous time in Israel’s history. His dad was a man of war. Solomon understood war; he understood threats against the kingdom, against his father. He had first-hand knowledge of living in uncertainty. So when he tells us that nothing is certain in this life; he knew that truth himself. He’d lived it.

Acceptance

Solomon teaches us that there is a way to live in spite of this uncertainty in life. It’s called acceptance. Webster’s Dictionary gives a few different definitions of the word acceptance.

1. To receive willingly.

2. To endure without protest or reaction.

We can put those definitions back into the verse, and here’s what we get.

1. Receive willingly the way God does things…

2. Endure without protest or reaction the way God does things…

The Answer to the Uncertainty of Life

The answer to uncertainty in life is to accept the way God does things. We will never understand an infinite God with our finite minds. Consequently, we won’t understand why he does what he does. And that’s okay because he doesn’t ask us to understand; he asks us to accept it.

I love the next verse from Solomon. After we learn to accept the way God does things, Solomon tells us to enjoy prosperity when it comes. When blessings come your way, revel in them; savor them. Remember that we serve a good God that loves to give good gifts.

Find the Good

Solomon adds a caution at the end of the verse. He reminds us that hard times will also come. But when they do, we can choose to accept them and remember that both prosperous times and hard times come from God.

Instead of clinging to uncertainty, find the blessings that God is bestowing on you right now. Look for the good and enjoy it; soak it in. Love on your family, enjoy the income God has provided, travel and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation, get a coffee with a good friend, spend time each morning with God in a morning time routine. Find the good that’s all around you; celebrate that good. Draw close to the One who’s given you those good things. Remember that our relationship with God is more important than anything else.

When we choose to accept His plans and look for the good, we will find ourselves better able to navigate the uncertainty of this world.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check my post, 3 Ways to Remember God’s Goodness When We Forget.

A Roadmap to Building a Deep Faith

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I’ve been doing a deep dive into the book of Colossians with my new Bible study from The Daily Grace Co. I have to tell you, these Bible studies are my new favorite. It started with the Ecclesiastes study I got for Christmas. Ecclesiastes is probably my most favorite book of the Bible, so I really enjoyed that study. Now I’m following up that study with this Colossians study and absolutely loving it.

The Theme of Colossians

The reoccurring theme of the book of Colossians is In Him. Paul continually draws us back to Jesus. In this world, there are so many things that fight for our attention and focus. But Paul continually reminds us of what’s really important.

I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:1-3

A Glimpse into Paul’s Life

We get a glimpse into Paul’s personal life and goals. He writes that he agonizes for a group of believers, many of whom he has never met. Why would he be so torn up about a group of people he hasn’t even met? He answers that question in the next verse. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan. What was this mysterious plan? Well, it’s not so mysterious, even though we make it that way so often. This mysterious plan was simply…Jesus. Through Jesus, we find the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that we all seek after. There is no wisdom and knowledge outside of Jesus.

The Lack of Peace Around Us

We can take a look around and be so easily overwhelmed and discouraged. It’s a political week in which lines have been drawn in the sand, and people say hateful things to people who didn’t vote or don’t think like they do. At the same time, fires still threaten communities that have already lost so much. There are threats everywhere you look, and it feels overwhelming and daunting. If we’re not careful, we get buried in all of it—the uncertainty, the overwhelm, the discouragement.

And yet, in the midst of a tumultuous culture, over two thousand years ago, Paul told believers what that answer was. And that answer was Jesus. It was then, and it still is now. Only in him do we find the wisdom and knowledge we need to get through this life

Three Ways to Grow a Strong Faith

How do we find that wisdom and knowledge found in Him? Paul tells us how in the next few verses.

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6,7

Paul breaks it down for us into three steps. He writes that if we do these three things, our faith will grow strong, and we will overflow with thankfulness.

1. Continue to follow Jesus

It’s not enough to accept Jesus by faith. Now we have to continue in that faith. Don’t turn back from following Him when it gets hard. Don’t let fear and doubt creep in. Refuse to listen to Satan’s lies that you aren’t important to God, that he doesn’t love you. Choose to follow Jesus, no matter what.

2. Let your roots grow down into him

We have to go deep in our relationship with God, or when the hard times come, we will cast our faith aside. The best way to grow our roots in him is to develop a morning time routine in which you spend the first part of your day…every day…with God. We have to make sure our roots run deep, so that when the storms of life come, we aren’t uprooted.

3. Build your life on Jesus.

Build your life around Jesus. Get involved in a local church. Find a small group to join. Teach your children how to have a morning time routine of Bible reading and prayer. Pray before meals. Pray as a family. Make God a priority in your home.

If you want the treasures that are found in a relationship with God—wisdom, knowledge, peace, thankfulness, and a life overflowing with God’s goodness, this is the roadmap.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, 6 Ways to Build Your Faith Today.

Depressed~in Need of Deep Rest

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January Days

January is upon us. I have a love/hate relationship with January. I love it because it’s the best time of year for snuggling under a warm blanket and reading. It’s the perfect time of year to light extra candles, read aloud to the kids, and experience quiet, peaceful evenings. Those are the positives.

But then there are also the negatives. The days are short; it’s dark before it’s even time for dinner. The sun doesn’t shine for days on end. The days drag by, and spring feels a world away.

Struggling with Depression

If you’re anything like me, you may struggle in the winter season. I so want to enjoy the winter season, and I do. But when there are too many sunless, dreary days…too many cold, dark days…sometimes it feels like too much. A lot of people struggle this time of year. Those of us who are prone to depression usually find it hardest to fight during these months before spring comes.

What does God say about our depression? What do we do when we feel discouraged, weak, and feel like we can’t go on?

Paul reminds us in Colossians that Jesus saved us and rescued us from darkness, so that we could live in the light.

…always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.  For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,  who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Colossians 1:12-14 NLT

Through Jesus, we can live in this world of light. The darkness does not have to define us; it doesn’t have to control us.

Deep Rest

I watched a clip from Jim Carrey about depression. Matt had seen it and thought I’d appreciate it. I won’t link to it because he swears in the video, but in this video, he points out the difference between sadness and depression. He explains that sadness is a result of something that happens; whereas depression is your body’s way of crying out–“I don’t want to be this way anymore. I don’t want to be this person or persona I’ve created.”

He goes on to describe being depressed as: deep rest. He says our bodies need deep rest. I would go even further and say that sometimes our souls need deep rest. I know for myself that when I’ve had long stretches of going and going and not getting enough sleep, my spirit gets to a dark place and inevitably, discouragement and depression will find me. When that happens, I know I need a time of healing for my body, a time of rest.

Examples from the Bible

David understood the concept of soul rest. In a chapter where he talks about his anxiety, he says these words:

Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.

Psalm 116:7 NLT

David understood that his soul needed to find a place of rest, and he could find that by focusing on God’s goodness to him. That would help to ease the anxiety.

Jesus told us how we could have rest for our souls in the book of Matthew. He taught us to let go of our own burdens and carry the load he has for us because he will carry the load with us; and then we will find rest for our souls.

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

When we get a place where we can’t find God’s goodness in our lives, it’s time for some soul rest and some physical rest.

How do you find deep rest for your soul?

Here are five ways to find deep rest for your soul.

1. Take a break from social media and the news.

I believe so many people are so stressed and anxious all the time because of a steady stream of news and social media. Watching the news ramps up our anxiety and makes us fearful, because the news covers everything bad that’s happening. And social media makes us feel like not enough, overwhelmed, and overstimulated. Taking a break from all of those outlets can give our minds a break and even a chance to heal.

2. Get actual sleep.

Give yourself the sleep you need. Take a nap. Go to bed earlier. Find a way to get the sleep your body needs to heal. As moms, we tend to burn ourselves out because we have so much going on. The kindest thing we can do to ourselves and our bodies is to get sleep.

3. Cut something stressful from your schedule.

So many of us are running around frantically from one thing to the next. This frantic pace leaves no room for our souls to rest, and eventually anxiety, fear, and stress take a toll on us and on our bodies. Find a way to cut something out of your schedule to give you one more night at home, one more free day in your week, a free weekend. With margin in our schedules, we can find time for that extra rest.

4. Find time for quiet in your life.

This is the kind of quiet when the tv is not on, nobody in the family is on screens, and there’s just quiet peaceful music playing. I know it’s hard to find that time, but this kind of quiet is so good for our souls.

5. Get out in quiet nature.

Getting outside can be one of the best things we can do for our souls. Even in the cold, it’s possible. Get outside for even just a ten minute walk. The sun does wonders for our bodies. Even walking outside in the stillness of the falling snow can be good for our souls. The fresh air works wonders and helps clear our frantic minds.

Looking at a list like this can overwhelm us and make us even more stressed. So just pick one. Look through the list and find the easiest one for you and do it this week.

*If you struggle with more than just a little depression, please seek medical help. Depression is nothing to mess around with, and there is nothing wrong with getting extra help if you need it.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post Encouragement for the Weary Soul. If you find yourself in a place of doubt and feel like your faith is wavering, my book, The Hidden Pain will provide encouragement.

    Creating Colorful, Fun Gratitude Journals as a Family

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    Each year, as we head into the new year, I am on the lookout for things we can do as a family to set ourselves up for the new year–setting goals, doing calendar planning for the year, looking back at what went well the year before, and more.

    Gratitude Journals

    This year, we created gratitude journals to use for the year and combined that with our word for the year. I was so happy with how it went, I’m doing it with our ladies at church as well. It was super simple and inexpensive…which is the best kind of craft! I love something that everybody can get involved in that’s colorful, meaningful, and fun. Gratitude journals fit the bill for that. We created ours on January 1st, but I think it’s something you can do any time of year. But January is a really great time to make one so you can use it all year. Here’s what we did.

    Our Supplies

    We bought craft notebooks from Amazon. Everybody got to pick their favorite. Next, each of us took the word of the year quiz. My word for the year is delight. Each of us wrote our word for the year on the front cover, and then we got to work decorating. We had a bunch of stickers we’d ordered from Amazon, lots of sharpies, and some pictures Matt printed off for us to use. I found actual gratitude stickers that I’ll be using for my ladies’ event when we make gratitude journals.

    Journal Entries

    Then, on the inside, we each wrote down three of the best things from last year. After that, each of us wrote down at least three goals for the year. Matt and I went a little further. We’re currently reading Jon Acuff’s book All It Takes is a Goal together. In his book, he teaches the concept of making a best moments list. You write down some of the best moments in your life up to this point, and then you use that list to help you take a good look at your life and be able to do more of what makes those best moments. (That’s the simplified version of it.) So we created a best moments list in our notebook as well. Matt added some more to the inside of his journal as well.

    Now, we add an entry for each day that we have something to write down that we’re grateful for. I try to remind the kids every few days or so to add something.

    At the end of the year, we will get to look back at our gratitude journals and see how God blessed throughout the year. Another fun take on this that I might still do is a blessings jar. Every time there’s a blessing or answered prayer, you write it down and drop it in the jar. At the end of year, you open the jar and read all the blessings. Such a fun idea, right? I love these kinds of ideas that bring our family together and help us focus on God’s goodness rather than all the negative around us.

    What about you? What are you doing to get your new year kicked off right?

    More Encouragement

    For more like this, check out my post, 5 Great Products/Ideas to Start Your New Year Right.

    The Perfect Christmas Treat

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    If you were going to make a Christmas cookie, you would need to be sure to have just the right ingredients. We’re not talking about a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie or even peanut butter blossoms, gingerbread men, and snickerdoodles. I love all of those. My favorite though are sugar cookies with frosting on top that crumbles with each bite you take. Whether it’s a cookie shaped like a Christmas tree, a candy cane, a snowflake, a star, or a snowman, I love them all.   

    The Shop

    In the late 80’s and early 90’s, my dad owned his own auto-repair shop. The highlight of the year was the epic spread he put out at Christmas time for his customers. My Uncle made the best hot roast beef, and my Grandma Manney made small tea sandwiches. There was a holiday cheese-ball, and a local bakery provided the center piece—a tray of assorted sugar cookies. I was in holiday heaven as a kid.  

    The best sugar cookies are often the easiest ones to make. Sugar cookie recipes abound online. You can find a recipe with a simple Google search online. You’ll be inundated with close to 500,000,000 articles in .65 seconds of searching “sugar cookie recipe.” Here’s one to try: 

    Christmas Cookie Recipe from Sugar Spun Run

    You’ll need:  

    1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature   

    1 cup sugar   

    1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

    1 large egg  

    2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour   

    3/4 teaspoon baking powder  

    3/4 teaspoon salt  

    And, an assortment of Christmas cookie cutters.  

    Mix that all together and voila you have the next best thing to sliced bread. Just give me a container of Betty Crocker frosting, and I’ll see you next Christmas.  (For baking instructions search online “Sugar Spun Run- Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe”)  

    Ingredients to Save the World

    If you were going to save the world, what ingredients would you need? A king? An army? An angel? What about a teenage girl and a blue-collar carpenter? Throw in a star, a stable, some shepherds, a few wise men, oh, and some angels…lots and lots of angels, and now you have the makings of a story worth telling down through the ages. How does this sound for the start of that recipe?    

    “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

    Galatians 4:4-5  

    One Solitary Life

    To fully understand the power of Emmanuel sent to save us. Consider the powerful words of James Allen Francis poem “One Solitary Life”.   

    He was born in an obscure village,  

    The child of a peasant woman.  

    He grew up in still another village,  

    Where he worked in a carpenter shop  

    Until he was thirty.  

    Then for three years  

    He was an itinerant preacher.  

    He never wrote a book.  

    He never held an office.  

    He never had a family or owned a house.  

    He didn’t go to college.  

    He never visited a big city.  

    He never traveled two hundred miles  

    From the place where he was born.  

    He did none of the things  

    One usually associates with greatness.  

    He had no credentials but himself.  

    He was only thirty-three  

    When the tide of public opinion turned against him.  

    His friends ran away.  

    He was turned over to his enemies.  

    And went through the mockery of a trial.  

    He was nailed to a cross  

    Between two thieves.  

    While he was dying,  

    His executioners gambled for his clothing,  

    The only property he had on Earth.  

    When he was dead,  

    He was laid in a borrowed grave  

    Through the pity of a friend.  

    Twenty centuries have come and gone,  

    And today he is the central figure  

    Of the human race,  

    And the leader of mankind’s progress.  

    All the armies that ever marched,  

    All the navies that ever sailed,  

    All the parliament that ever sat,  

    All the kings that ever reigned,  

    Put together have not affected  

    The life of man on Earth  

    As much as that  

    One Solitary Life.  

    God’s Working

    It may be hard to imagine, but this one solitary life was raised by a teenage mom and a step-dad. Sometimes we underestimate the power of what God did in bringing together the lives of each of those characters involved in the Christmas story.   

    The circumstances, experiences, and people God is using in your life are all the necessary ingredients to bring about his purpose in our lives. God is working for His glory and your good.   

    That same Jesus is still with us today. He promised He would never leave us or forsake us. He’s still living out Emmanuel today. How does that give you renewed hope this Christmas season? 

    *This has been an excerpt from Recapture Christmas: Unwrap the Mystery and Wonder of the Manger (a 30-Day Devotional). If you enjoyed it, check out the devotional on Amazon.

    More Encouragement

    For more encouragement, check out my post God’s Gifts at Christmas.

    100 Blessings

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    grateful, thankful, blessed

    With Thanksgiving next week, this is a great time to stop and consider all our blessings. Thanksgiving is such a fun time. But with all the baking, cooking, spending time with family, football, parades, and more, we can simply run out of time to be thankful. I don’t want Thanksgiving to pass without a chance to just spend a few extra minutes thanking God and remembering all my blessings.

    100 Blessings Challenge

    Each year, I challenge myself to do something extra in regards to being thankful. Last year, I went through the alphabet and wrote down one thing that I was thankful for for each letter. This is a great way to stretch yourself and spend some extra time just being reminded of God’s goodness. This year, I chose to go with 100 blessings. I took the time to write down 100 things I’m thankful for. Neither of these ideas take long. It just takes a few minutes and some planning to set the time aside.

    It’s so important to focus on the good and to take opportunities to remind ourselves of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Otherwise, we tend to focus on the negative, on all the bad things going on in our lives. When we do that, the negativity just continues to grow and spill over. Instead, we can use this time of year as a time to flip the script, to force ourselves to see God’s good hand of blessing all over our lives.

    Evidence of God’s Goodness

    Acts 14 reminds us that God may let us go our own way, but he never lets us forget his goodness to us.

     In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways,  but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.

    Acts 14:16,17 NLT

    We may go our own way for a while, but God won’t ever let us forget His goodness to us. He sends us reminders of Himself and his goodness; we just have to look for them. And what better time than at Thanksgiving to look for those reminders.

    More Encouragement

    For more on the topic of Thanksgiving, check out my post. Thanksgiving Prompts for Each Day Next Week or check out Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts.